'88 TC, car sat for about eight months after it got into a bad accident, I start it several times a week now to keep things conditioned while I do my repairs. The motor itself was not damaged as far as I can tell.
I did a tuneup (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, oil change, fuel filter) on it maybe 5,000 miles prior to the accident. It's had four fuel pumps in it, the fourth being the one that's currently in it, a Bosch that's been serving its purpose well. The car sat without a front end, with the motor out in the open all fall and winter last year.
It runs perfectly, but I've found that the first time I start it after anywhere more than ~2 hours of sitting, it takes a lot of cranking - maybe five full seconds. That's way too long for me, and before the accident it never started as quickly as I'd prefer, but it was quicker than that. After it starts, for a split second it makes a couple sputtering noises, then it runs strong and healthily.
My starter has always had a sticky bendix, but lately it's been stickier which makes me figure it's only a matter of time until it conks out completely.
I also have a carb'd '85 F-150 I paid $200 for that is a completely piece of shit. However, one of its biggest redeeming factor is it ALWAYS starts, and if I pump the gas a couple times before starting it, often times I only have to flick the ignition key, and that's enough to get the thing running... oftentimes it starts so quickly I don't even hear the starter turn.
This is where I'd like some people's suggestions:
- Will one of those high-torque gear-reduction ministarters help my starting problem?
- Could this old starter be one of the causes of my car not starting fast enough?
- What else can I do to get it starting quicker?
My Townie, even though it's been through a lot recently, is an infinitely nicer vehicle than my truck... so why the hell can't it start as easily?
I did a tuneup (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, oil change, fuel filter) on it maybe 5,000 miles prior to the accident. It's had four fuel pumps in it, the fourth being the one that's currently in it, a Bosch that's been serving its purpose well. The car sat without a front end, with the motor out in the open all fall and winter last year.
It runs perfectly, but I've found that the first time I start it after anywhere more than ~2 hours of sitting, it takes a lot of cranking - maybe five full seconds. That's way too long for me, and before the accident it never started as quickly as I'd prefer, but it was quicker than that. After it starts, for a split second it makes a couple sputtering noises, then it runs strong and healthily.
My starter has always had a sticky bendix, but lately it's been stickier which makes me figure it's only a matter of time until it conks out completely.
I also have a carb'd '85 F-150 I paid $200 for that is a completely piece of shit. However, one of its biggest redeeming factor is it ALWAYS starts, and if I pump the gas a couple times before starting it, often times I only have to flick the ignition key, and that's enough to get the thing running... oftentimes it starts so quickly I don't even hear the starter turn.
This is where I'd like some people's suggestions:
- Will one of those high-torque gear-reduction ministarters help my starting problem?
- Could this old starter be one of the causes of my car not starting fast enough?
- What else can I do to get it starting quicker?
My Townie, even though it's been through a lot recently, is an infinitely nicer vehicle than my truck... so why the hell can't it start as easily?
Comment